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Open Access
Character association of seeds on plant morphology in snakegourd (trichosanthes anguina L.)
(Department of Olericulture, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2000) Ashok, P; KAU; Rajan, S
The research project 'Character association of seeds on plant morphology in snakegourd (Trichosanthes anguina L.)' was carried out in College of Horticulture, Kerala Agricultural University, Vellanikkara, Thrissur during the period 1999-2000. The study envisaged to find out the association of various seed characters on the vegetative characters of snakegourd, classification of accessions based on the seed index, growth index and yield index as obtained from principal component analysis and to formulate keys for varietal identification. The 25 accessions were catalogued based on the IBPGR descriptor list. Significant differences for various seed characters, growth characters and yield characters were noticed among the accessions. Correlation studies have shown that the number of seeds per fruit strongly associated with days to male flower opening and fruit maturity. Seed size index was strongly associated with leaf size. The highest seed index value for TAl 08, the highest growth index value for TA 118 and the highest yield index value for TA 114 were obtained as revealed from principal component analysis . . Twenty five accessions were grouped into different clusters based on the seedindex, growth index and yield index. Based upon the seed characters (seed size, seed coat colour and 100 seed weight), growth characters (leaf lobes, leaf pubescence and tendril length) and fruit characters (fruit skin colour, fruit girth, fruit length and fruit weight) keys were developed for varietal identification.
Open Access
Parasexual hybridization of piper nigrum and piper colubrinum through protoplast fusion
(Department of Plantation Crops And Spices,College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2000) Resmi, Paul; KAU; Rajendran, P C
Black pepper is the most important export oriented commodity and foreign exchange earner among the Indian spices. Ravages due to diseases, particularly the most devastating Phytophthora foot rot caused by Phytophthora capsici is one of the major constraints in the production of black pepper all over the world. Piper colubrinum, a wild relative of black pepper is found to be immune to foot rot disease. Non – existence of cultivar level tolerance or resistance against foot rot disease in black pepper necessitated the incorporation of incompatible wild relatives through parasexual hybridization. This study was undertaken in the Department of Plantation Crops and Spices and the Plant Tissue Culture laboratory of the Centre for Plant Biotechnology and Molecular Biology, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara between September 1998 to April 2000. The cultures of P. nigrum and P. colubrinum were initiated in test tubes and were maintained at 26 + 20C temperature and 60 to 80 per cent humidity. The green leaves excised from axenic cultures of both the species were treated with cell wall degrading enzymes, cellulose and pectinase maintained at proper osmotic concentration. In P. nigrum maximum yield was observed at 1.4 per cent cellulose and 0.34 per cent pectinase. Cellulase and pexctinase at a concentration of 1.0 per cent and 0.217 per cent respectively recorded highest yield in P. colubrinum. In both the species 0.6 M osmoticum was found to be optimum to maintain the osmotic potential of the isolation solution. Highest yield of protoplasts was recorded in both the species during 21 h of digestion. Filtration-centrifugation technique was found to be superior in purifying the Piper protoplasts compared to the sucrose floatation method. Centrifugation at 1000 rpm for three minutes was found to be best for purifying P. nigrum protoplasts. For purifying P. colubrimum protoplasts, 600 rpm for three minutes was found to be optimum. Highest viability was noticed at 0.55 M and 0.65 M osmoticum in 1.0 per cent cellulose and 0.28 per cent pectinase during 21 h of digestion in P. nigrum. In P. colubrinum, maximum viability was observed at 0.4 M osmoticum in the enzyme mixture 1.0 per cent Cellulase and 0.186 per cent Pectinase during 18 h of incubation. Protoplasts of both the species when cultured on modified MS medium formed no cell wall and have not undergone any division. A age of the cultures advanced, proptoplast viability decreased in P. nigrum and P. colubrinum. All the protoplasts died by the second week in both the species. The protoplasts of both the species were heterogenous in terms of size. Fusion of the protoplasts was not observed after PEG treatment in the present study.
Open Access
Standrdisation of population density in watermelon (Citrullus lanatus (Thunb.) Mansf.)
(Department of Horticulture, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2000) Bindukala, A R; KAU; Abdul Vahab, M
The present investigation on "Standardisation of population density in watermelon [Citrullus lanatus (Thimb.) mansf.]" was conducted at the Instructional Farm, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, Thiruvananthapuram during February - May, 1999 .. Three watermelon varieties viz., Sugar Baby, Arka Manik and MHW -6 were tried under six population densities to find out their direct and indirect effects on vegetative yield and quality attributes in watermelon. Majority of the characters were significantly influenced by the direct as well as interaction effects of the population density and varieties. Among the varieties, Arka Manik was earlier for male and female flower opening and for days' to first harvest. However, the node to first female flower was in Sugar Baby which also had more female flowers planr". The population density significantly influenced majority of the vegetative characters. Lower to moderate population density had shorter crop duration, branches planr ' and vine length. Different density levels significantly influenced the yield characters. Total fruits planr ', Total fruits plor ', Marketable fruits planr", 2 Marketable fruits plor ' ,Marketable yield plant"! were maximum in plants grown at highest density of 10000 plants ha". The variety Sugar Baby was first in all these yield characters. Sugar Baby also had the highest values for diameter, flesh thickness, rind thickness, fruit girth and seeds fruir '. The hybrid MHW-6 had maximum average fruit weight, fruit length and 100 seed weight. Among the quality parameters, Sugar Baby had maximum values for total sugars and reducing sugars whereas, Arka Manik recorded the highest values for total soluble solids, non-reducing sugars and iron content. The plants at moderate spacings recorded highest values for the quality characters. Majority of the characters were influenced by the interaction of population densities and varieties also. Sugar Baby at a moderate population density of 3333 plants ha! had maximum branches plant"! .. The number of fruits plor ' was highest in Sugar Baby at the highest population of 10000 plants ha:". This treatment combination also had maximum marketable yield plor ' registering maximum yield of 55 t ha! and maximum income of Rs. 165000 with the highest bene:{it cost ratio of 3.00 : 1.00.
Open Access
Biodiversity of medicinal plants in oil palm plantations
(Department of Horticulture, College of Agriculture,vellayani, 2000) Sarada, S; KAU; Sreekandan Nair, G
A study on 'Biodiversity of medicinal plants In oil palm plantations' was carried out at the oil palm plantations, Kulathupuzha of the Oil palm India Ltd., Kollam district from Januarv 1998 to ., January 1999. The objectives of the study were to identify the medicinal plants in the oil palm plantations, to study the growth behaviour of selected medicinal plants and to assess the inf1uence of shade on pharmacologi.cally active constituents. A total of 80 sampling units were taken us rug stratified random sampling technique, the strata being young, medium and mature oil palm plantations and open conditions. The medicinal plants In the inter spaces of young, medium and mature oil palm plantations and in the open were identified and quantified by random sampling technique using 1.0m2 frame. A total of 85 plants species were identified in the four different strata belonging to 79 genera and 36 families. No ne of the plants were endemic. There were 74 indigenous and 10 exotic/naturalized plants Ten important medicinal plant species were selected for detailed study and there growth behaviour was monitored for one year. They were Chro mol aena odorata, Cyclea p elt at a, E l e p h a nt o p u s scaber, Em if i a so nchifol ia, H emidesmus in dicu s, Hypt is s u av eol ens, Phyll antlius am arus, Si d a rh omb ifol i a, So/anum m el o ngena var. insariurn and Vernonia cinerea. Ch rys op o gon acicul at us dominates all the four strata \\.j b high relative density and frequency. Cyrt o cocc um trigonum is another dominating species with high relative density in young and 0):11 re oil palm plantations. Nar egami a a/ala is a dominant and abundant species occurnng in mature plantation. He mi d e s nius in die us is o cc urr i ng f re que n t I y in all the f 0 u r s t r a t a. E! e ph a nt 0 p 11 S sea b e roe cur s fr e ,- u e nt 1 v m young plantation and Chromolaena odorata in medium plantation. Phyll anth us amarus is more frequent in mature plantation and open conditions. H olo st emma adakodien also occur frequently in mature plantation. Young oil palm plantation and open conditions were found to be the most similar strata with more number of species m common. Mature oil palm plantations and open conditions were found to be the most dissimilar strata in vegetation pair wise analysis. Medi urn oil palm plantation was found to have higher concentration of dominance as expressed by Simpso n ' s Index. Abundant species occurs more in mature oil palm plantation and very abundant species occurs more in medium oil palm plantation. Evenness index was maximum in open conditions. Growth characters like plant height, number of branches, plant spread, height of first branch, number of leaves, inter nodal length and stem girth showed the lanky growth of the selected ten medical plants in medium and mature oil palm plantations which were more shaded compared to young plantation and open conditions. Fresh and dry weight of officinal part was more In young plantation and open conditions compared to medium and mature oil palm plantations. Higher biomass production was also obtained in young oil palm plantation compared to medium and mature plantations. The amount of essential oil in the roots of He m id esm us ind i c us was highest under open conditions and lowest in mature oil palm plantation. There was no significant difference between the amount of essential oil in the roots under young and medium oil palm plantations. • . I, The solasodine content in the fruits of Solanum mel ongena var. i ns anum was highest under open conditions and lowest in medium oil palm plantation. There was no significant difference between the solasodine content in fruits in young plantation and open conditions; medi urn plantation and mature plantation. The solasodine content in roots was also highest under open conditions and lowest is mature plantation. There was no significant difference between the so lasodine content in roots in young plantation and open conditions; medium plantation and mature plantation.
Open Access
Comparative biology and growth behaviour of Pennisetum polystachyon (L.) Shult and P. pedicellatum Trin
(Department of Agronomy, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2000) Karthik, A; KAU; George Thomas, C
Pennisetum polystachyon (L.) Shult. and P. pedicellatum Trin. are two major grass weeds that are widespread in young plantation crops and non-arable areas of the tropics. The present investigation was undertaken to have an understanding on the biology, growth behaviour and fodder production potential of these two Pennisetum spp. at the Research Farm, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara during 1998-2000. Germination tests were conducted at monthly intervals. P. polystachyon did not show any dormancy and started germination as soon as the seeds are collected (December). P. pedicellatum seeds remained dormant during December and January and it started germination by February only. Both species showed above 80 per cent germination by late March. Germination percentage started to decline in P. polystachyon after April. Phenological characters of both species were noted from a natural population during the year 1999. Seeds of Pennisetum spp. started germination soon after the receipt of monsoon showers by the end of April. Flowering started after the completion of the rainy period in September. Plants started senescence by mid December in P. polystachyon and mid November in P. pedicellatum. Both Pennisetum species studied showed remarkable regeneration ability from different cutting heights. The percentage of plants regenerated was similar in both species, Allelopathic reactions of roots, leaves and seeds were also studied. Boiled and unboiled extracts were prepared and germination test were conducted using cowpea, bhindi and cucumber as test crops. The cold and boiled leaf extracts of both species did not show any effect on germination of test crops. However, cold root extract of both Pennisetum spp. reduced the germination percentge of bhindi. Cold root extract of both species also showed some promotery effect on shoot length in cowpea. Seed extracts showed inhibitory effects only on cowpea germination. Growth was comparatively fast in P: pedicellatum than P. polystachyon during its early stages. P. polystachyon showed higher leaf : stem ratio than P. pedicellatum. Growth indices like LAR, LWR, RGR, AGR and NAR were similar in both Pennisetum spp. In terms of total green fodder production, P. pedicellatum was superior to P. polystachyon. Two cuttings, one at 70 days after sowing and the other just before flowering recorded maximum fresh weight of fodder. Though crude protein content was similar in both the species, P. pedicellatum showed a higher crude fibre content than P. polystachyon. The results indicate that as the fodder quality is good, utilizing these grasses as cattle feed can be one of the strategies for managing them. However, cultivation of these grasses for fodder purposes involves some risks because of their high reproductive capacity and persistence.
Open Access
Genetic transformation and hairy root culture in ada-kodien
(Department of Plantation Crops and Spices, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2001) Karmarkar, Shirish Hari; KAU; Keshavachandran, R
The present study was undertaken at the Department of Plantation Crops and Spices, College of Horticulture, Kerala Agriculture University, Vellanikkara during May 1999 to October 2000 The study was undertaken to standardize the procedure to genetically transform Holostemma ada-kodien and induce hairy roots it was also envisaged to standardise the biochemical techniques for the estimation of secondary metabolites in the roots of Holostemma. Hairy roots were induced by infection of Holostemma explants with a gram negative soil bacterium, Agrobacterium rhizogenes. Leaf segments, shoot buds, intermodal segments, seedling hypocotyls and callus were used as explants for hairy root induction. Among them, the seedling hypocotyls showed highest potential for hairy root induction followed by shoot buds. Leaf segments, intermodal segments and callus did not induce hairy roots. Different strains of Agrobacterium rhizogenes viz PcA4, 15834, A4, 8196 and 2659 were evaluated for their ability to induce hairy roots in Holostemma explants. The strain PcA4 showed the highest potential for hairy root induction, followed by strains 15834 and A4. The strains 8196 and 2659 did not induce hairy roots. Direct inoculation of bacteria on wounds induced hairy roots on seedling hypocotyls only. Co-culture of wounded explants with bacteria induced hairy roots on seedling hypocotyls and shoot buds. In the direct inoculation method, the nature of bacterial inoculum and the intensity of bacterial inoculum applied on wounds influenced the transformation. Bacterial cell suspensions when applied on wounds induced transformation. Less intensity of bacterial inoculum when applied on wounds gave greater transformation frequencies and vice versa. In the co-culture method, the intensity of bacteria present during co-culture, the co-culture time and the shaker speed influenced the transformation. Comparative evaluation of varying intensity of bacterial population during co-culture and the co-culture time showed that, both less intensity of bacterial inoculum with more co-culture time and vice versa showed almost similar transformation frequencies (14.40 % and 14.51 % respectively). The shaker speed of 100 rpm gave the highest transformation percentage than 50 rpm speed. Shaker speed of 150 rpm did not induce any transformation. Application of different concentration of NAA prior to direct inoculation of bacteria on wounded explants did not aid in transformation. Addition of 2 mg 1-1 NAA in the co-culture medium, however, increased the transformation frequency from 25 per cent to 75 per cent. Photoperiod influenced the transformation frequencies. A photoperiod of 16 h light was found to be the best for hairy root induction in Holostemma. Media influenced the hairy root induction. Full strength MS medium favoured hairy root induction while ½ strength MS medium did not favour hairy root induction. Hairy roots were induced in a period of one to four weeks in all the treatments. The induced hairy roots showed altered phenotypes. The hairy root obtained directly from explants without NAA treatment were whitish, hairy and showed negative geotropism. The hairy roots obtained after NAA treatment were brownish yellow and were induced from calli formed on wounds after infection. Hairy roots obtained on infection with strains PcA4, 15834 and A4 showed the presence of agropine confirming their transformed nature. Normal roots did not show presence of opine (s). Hairy roots showed greater sensitivity to lower concentrations of NAA than the normal roots. At 10-9 M concentration of NAA the hairy roots showed lateral branch formation. The tubers and in vitro induced callus of Holostemma were tested for the presence of amino acids, essential oils, triterpenoids and sterols. Six amino acids were found in the root tubers while an additional amino acid (Rf 0.48) that may be L Proline or Cysteine MHC was found in the callus. Root tubers and callus showed the presence of essential oils, triterpenoids and sterols. Root tubers showed the presence of more number of essential oils and triterpenoids than the callus. The callus showed the presence of new terpene compounds. The two sterols present in root tubers and calli were identified to be α –amyrin and β –amyrin
Open Access
Evaluation of genetic stock of sanghupushpam (Clitoria ternatea L.) for yield, Alkaloid content and nitrogen fixing potential
(Department of Horticulture, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2000) Deepa, S Nair; KAU; Reghunath, B R
The present study entitled “Evaluation of genetic stock of ‘Sanghupushpam’ (Clitoria ternatea L.) for yield, alkaloid content and nitrogen fixing potential” was carried out at the Department of Horticulture, College of Agriculture, Vellayani from June 1999 to January 2000. Seeds of twenty different accessions were collected from various locations from inside and outside the state. Thirteen accessions having high rate of seed germination were raised as intercrop in young coconut garden and maintained till seed maturation stage. The performance of the accessions in terms of growth, yield and physiological parameters were evaluated. Growth and yield parameters with respect to shoot, pod, root and root nodule characters were evaluated. Physiological parameters evaluated included leaf area index, leaf area duration, net assimilation rate, crop growth rate, relative growth rate, absolute growth rate and harvest index. Number of effective nodules was taken as an index for assessing nitrogen fixing potential of the plant. Leaf yield, shoot yield and root yield were significantly superior in the accession MP-90. MP-83 recorded significantly superior pod yield. The number of nodules was the highest in accessions MP-76 and MP-82. Crude alkaloid content was significantly superior in seeds of MP-74 and MP-76. Six accessions were selected based on yield , nodule characters and crude alkaloid content viz ., MP-90, MP-74, MP-83, MP-78, MP-76 and MP-82. Results of the present study indicated that Clitoria ternatea, is not a good proposition as an intercrop in young coconut garden. However, it may be worth studying the performance of the crop as a pure crop under open condition or as an intercrop in coconut gcirden with comparatively lesser shade (less than 50 per cent) than the situation of the present study.
Open Access
Evaluation of fruit wastes as sources of pectin
(Department of Processing Technology, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2001) Apsara, Madhav; KAU; Pushpalatha, P B
Substantial quantities of wastes are generated as part of fruit and vegetable processing. These wastes suffer from the problem of disposal on one hand, when there are lots of avenues for their utilization on the other hand. The fact that a major portion of pectin required for processing industries are derived from citrus peels, highlight the need of using certain other fruit wastes also as sources of pectin. In this context, the present investigation, 'Evaluation of fruit wastes as sources of pectin' was taken up. The study revealed that a large portion of the weight of different fruits are discarded as wastes. The pectin content in fruit wastes was found varying and the passion fruit rind was identified as the richest source of pectin (252.68 g per kg) among the different materials analysed. The ideal method for extracting pectin varied, depending upon the material However, prolonging the time of extraction (by boiling) beyond 45 minutes was not found beneficiaL Owing to its high AUA percentage, mangosteen rind pectin was identified as the purest among different samples of pectin analysed. Its sugar binding capacity was also high (gel grade 171). Passion fruit rind pectin recorded the lowest (AUA% (46.17) and gel grade (73). The rapid setting nature of passion fruit rind and lime peel pectin revealed their possibility of utilization as thickening agents. The slow setting pectins identified could be best utilized for jelly making. The major defects observed with different jellies viz., firm and syrupy consistency, syneresis, cloudiness and bitterness were removed either by changing the composition of extraction media or by blending with the pectin extracts :from other fruit wastes. During the period of storage for three months, different jellies were not undergone major changes apart :from crystallisation. It was rectified by reducing the quantity of sugar added. Extraction of pectin and preparation of jelly was found to be a profitable proposition.
Open Access
Biodiversity of medicinal plants in Vellayani
(Department of Horticulture, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2001) Jyothilekshmi, L; KAU; Sreekandan Nair, G
A study on 'Biodiversity of medicinal plants in Vellayani' was carried out in and around Vellayani lake of Thiruvananthapuram district, Kerala. The objectives of the study were to identify the medicinal plants from among the existing natural flora, to study the growth behaviour of selected medicinal plants and to assess the pharmacologically active constituents of selected medicinal plants. A total of 80 sampling units were taken usmg stratified random sampling technique, the strata being dry land, garden land, paddy field and lake area. The medicinal plants in dry land, garden land and paddy field were identified and quantified by random sampling technique using 1.0 m2 frame. In the lake area as it was difficult to use the frame the plants were collected randomly giving sufficient representation. A total of 135 plant species were identified in the four different strata belonging to 120 genera and 57 families. None of the plants were endemic. There were 118 indigenous and 17 exotic or naturalized plants. Ten important medicinal plant species were selected for detailed study and their' growth behaviour was monitored for one year. They were Andrographis panieulata, Cyclea peltata, Desmodium velutinum, Eclipta alba, Gloriosa superba, Hemidesmus indieus, Phyllanthus amarus, Scoparia duleis, Sida rhombi/alia and Solanum indieum. Emilia sonchifolia dominated in dry land area with high relative density and relative frequency. Centella asiatica was the dominating species in garden land and paddy field with high relative density. Limnophila repens was the dominant species in lake area. Most frequently occurring species in dry land was Emilia sonchifolia and in garden land Scoparia dulcis and Vernonia cinerea. Centella asiatica and Eclipta alba occurred more frequently in paddy field, where as in lake area Hydrilla verticellata occurred more frequently. The rare species in dry land were Abrus precatorius, Blepharis medaraspatensis, Carissa congesta and Rauvolfia serpentina. In garden land Acalypha indica, Capparis brevispina, Cayratia pedata, Catharanthus roseus var. alba were found to be rare. In paddy field Borraria alata, Coldenia procumbens and Portulaca oleraceae were found to be the rare species. Diplocyclos palmatus was the rare species in lake area. Dry land and garden land were found to be the most similar strata with more number of species in common. Dry land and lake area were found to be the most dissimilar strata in vegetation pair wise analysis. Lake area was found to have higher concentration of dominance as expressed by Simpson's index. Shannon's index was maximum in dry land area. Abundant species occurs more in dry land area. In dry land almost all species had equal number of individuals since Evenness index was maximum. Growth characters like plant height, plant spread, height of the first branch, number of leaves, number of roots, root length were found to increase from pre-flowering to seed set stage. These characters were found to be high in garden land compared to other strata in most of the species. The fresh and dry weight of officinal part was more in garden land condition in most of the species. In the chemical analysis it was found that in Limnophila repens there was no similar chemical constituents as that of Bacopa monnieri (brahmi). There was no bacoside content in Limnophila repens, which is present in Bacopa monnieri. So Limnophila repens cannot be used as a substitute for brahrni. The andrographolide content in Andrographis paniculata was found to be slightly higher in dry land compared to garden land. The andrographolide content was higher in dry land area because of the water stress condition in dry land. The results of this study will be helpful in evolving suitable strategies for sustainable utilization of medicinal and aromatic plants, occumng as indigenous and naturalized in and around the Vellayani lake. Such an effort would also help to conserve many of the weed species which have very high medicinal values.

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